Water-tube boiler



Aug.. 25, 1925.

. H. O. BAKER WATER TUBE BO ILER Filed Jan. ll, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 H. O. BAKER WATER TUBE BOILER Filed Jan. l

Aug. 25, 1925.

Aug. 25, 1925.

H. O. BAKER WATER TUBE BOILER 5 Sheetg-Sheet Filed Jan. 11. 1922 Patented Aug. 25, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARTLEY O. BAKER, OF PUEBLO, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR TO THE BAKER STEAM MOTOR GAR AND MANUFACTURING CO., INC., OF PUEBLO, COLORADO.

WATER-TUBE BOILER.

Application led January 11, 1922. Serial No. 528,373.

To all 'whom t mafz/ cof/wem:

Be it known that I, HARTLEY O. BAKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pueblo, in the county of Pueblo and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Water-Tube Boilers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The present invention relates to watertube boilers or steam generators of the semiflash type, of the kind disclosed in my copending applications Serial Nos. 338,038- and 454,667 iiled November 14, 1919 and March 23, 1921, respectively.

It is the obj ect of the invention to provide in combination with a boiler of the type indicated having a drum or stand pipe and coils connected to said drum or stand pipe, novel means for connection with said coils Within the drum or stand pipe for iiushing or cleaning out the coils and other communieating portions of the boiler.

Another object is the provision of such an arrangement including a flushing or cleanout tube or pipe mounted in the drum and cooperating portions between the terminals of the coils and tube or pipe whereby said tube can be brought into registration and communication with the coils in succession, in a convenient and facile manner.

A further object is the provision of novel means for mounting the flushing or cleanout tube in the drum or stand pipe, and novel means for actuating the tube to be brought into registration and communication with the terminals ofthe coils.

A still further object is to provide novel means for establishing communication between the ushing tube or pipe and a pipe leading to the exterior of the boiler, and for closing and opening the flushing or cleanout passage at will.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, which will be understood as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l is a vertical central section of the boiler including the improved clean-out feature incorporated therein, portions being shown in elevation.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section of the improved device, portions being broken away and portions shown in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the device shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail on the line i-4; of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

The improvements are shown as being embodied in a boiler of the kind disclosed in the aforesaid applications, but can be used in other types of boilers also for which the present device is suitable. The boiler shown has the vertical stand pipe or drum l at the center, and constituting a core around which the tubing and coils are located. Surrounding the upper end portion of the drum l is a set of superposed s iral coils 2 of metal tubing, through whicii the water is delivered, whereby the water in entering the boiler at the top will receive its initial heat, the products of combustion after passing the generating and superheating coils heating the economizer coils 2, thereby utilizing the remaining heat for raising the temperature of the water before passing to the generating coils. A delivery pipe 4L extends upwardly from the lower end of the coils 2, and has a downwardly extending leg or terminal 5 from which the warm water is delivered. The water passes to and from the lower end of the drum through a pipe 6 leading from the lower end of the drum radially downward at an angle to one side, and the lower end of a vertical stand pipe 7 disposed at one side of the coils parallel with the central drum 1 is united with the outer end portion of said pipe 6. The pipe 6 and stand pipe 7 are preferably of tubing of considerably larger diameter than the spiral coils surrounding the drum. A branch 8 extends outwardly from the juncture of the pipes 6 and 7 and has a depending blow oil' valve 9, which, when opened, permits sediment to be blown out. This branch 8 provides a trap or pocket for collecting sediment, scale accumulations and other foreign matter, and the outer end of said trap or pocket is closed by a removable cap 10, which, when removed, will permit the tubing to be washed out. Thus, any sediment or accumulation within the drum 1 into which the coils discharge, will pass down through the pipe 6 into the trap S, as well as from the stand pipe 7, enabling the sediment and accumulation to be discharged from time to time.

Spiral generating coils 11 surround the lower portion of the drum, being superposed, and the alternate coils 11 have their outer ends secured to opposite sides of the stand pipe 7 at vertically spaced points thereof. The lowermost coils 11 are preferably slightly larger in diameter than the others. The inner terminals of the coils 11 are extended vertically upward, as at 12, to a point above the uppermost coil 11, and said terminals are spaced around the drum and enter said drum above the coils 11, with their discharge terminals or nozzles 13 bent or directed downwardly within the drum, for discharging the water and steam downwardly therein. The terminal 5 of the pipe 4 extends downwardly within the stand pipe 7 from the upper end thereof, and preferably terminates below the water level, and the discharge nozzles 13 also preferably terminate below said water level. As shown, the nozzles 13 are in staggered arrangement around the drum.

The water which ows from the pipe 4 passes down into the stand pipe 7 and into the outer .ends of the generating coils 11, and then inwardly within said coils to discharge downwardly from the nozzles or terminals 13 toward the lower end or bottom of the drum. The water flows from the lower portion of the drum through the pipe 6 and up into the pipe 7, creating a circuitous flow of the water through the coils 1l, drum 1, Jipe 6 and stand pipe 7. The coils 11 are suitably welded or otherwise secured to the drum 1 and stand pipe 7.

A steam delivery pipe 16 is connected to the wall of the drum adjacent to the upper end thereof for conducting the steam therefrom and extends radially and has its outer end united with the upper end of the stand pipe 7, as an extension thereof. The steam is thus discharged downwardly into the stand pipe, and any water passing with the steam to the stand pipe can drop down into the water which is held in the lower portion of the stand pipe. This results in the separation of any stray particles of water from the steam, and, furthermore, the pipe 16 in connecting the upper portions of the drum 1 and stand pipe 7 will equalize the pressure therein, so that the water level in the drum 1, stand pipe 7, and coils 11 will be uniform. This avoids forcing the water on beyond the tubing provided for it into the steam coils, and any tendency for the pressure to force the water in one direction or the other is balanced by an equal pressure at the opposite end.

A steam reserve or storage coil 17 surrounds the coils 2 and other coils 23 between the coils 2 and 11, and such coil 17 provides an annular chamber or jacket surrounding the coils above the generating coils 11, for holdinga comparatively large amount of steam in reserve. The steam -lows from the upper portion of the stand pipe 7 into the coil 17 of which the upper portion of said stand pipe is a part, and any water carried into the coil 17 can drop down to the bottom and flow into the stand pipe 7. A steam pipe 19 extends from the upper portion of the coil 17 opposite to the stand pipe 7 for delivering the steam from the reserve chamber or coil. The reserve steam within said chamber or coil is kept heated and dry, the moisture dropping to the bottom of said coil or chamber before the steam reaches the discharge pipe 19.

The coils 23 are superheating coils and are of spiral form and surround the drum similar to the coils 2 and 11. The steam pipe 19 is connected to one terminal of the coils 23, so that the steam flows through said superheating coils below the water heating coils 2 and above the generating coils 11, and the superheated steam is delivered from the boiler by way of the steam delivery pipe 35 leading from the other end of the coils 23.

The boiler construction as above described is substantially the same as disclosed in the application Serial No. 454,667, and further description thereof is not thought necessary.

The present improvements relate to the device for flushing or cleaning out the generating coils 11, and in order to mount the device in the drum 1, an annular head 40 is welded or otherwise secured to the upper end of the drum, and a cap 41 is removably secure-d on said head over the opening thereof by means of screws 42 or the like. Said head 4() and cap 41 have an annular groove and rib, as at 43, to prevent leakage. The cap 41 supports the flushing or cleanout device, and, for that purpose, the cap has a depending member or hanger 44 provided near its lower end with a chamber 45, a stuffing box 46 above said chamber leading to the upper surface of the cap 41, and an opening 47 at the lower end of said member 44 and chamber 45 in vertical alinement with the stuiiing box 46. A iushing or clean-out tube or pipe 48 extends through the opening 47 with its upper terminal within the chamber 45, and a shank or stem 49 in alinement with said tube extends through the stufling box 46 and terminates at its lower end within the chamber 45. The lower terminal of said shank 49 is retinnen ini-tarima a. wanneer,

duced, as at 50, and secured within the upper end of the tube 48, whereby said tube is slid and rotated with said shank, the tube having apertures 51 therein immediately below said shank establishing communication between said tube and the chamber 45.

The flushing tube 48 depends centrally or axially within the drum to a point below the discharge nozzles 13 of the generating coils, and the lower terminal of the tube is bent back to form a hook 52 to extend under said nozzles 13 and register therewith. A fiared tip member 53 is secured on the lower terminal of the tube, and the mouths of the nozzles 13 are bevelled, as at 54, to snugly receive said member 53 which is also bevelled to seat snugly in the bevelled portions 54 when the tube 48 is raised. When the tube is lowered, it can be turned to bring the terminal 52 and member 53 below and in registration with any one of the nozzles 13, and by raising the tube, the member 53 is seated against the end of the nozzle with a tight fit to establish communication between the tube 48 and the corresponding generating coil 11.

As a means for steadying the tube 48 at its lower end, a collar 55 is fitted on the lower end o-f the member 44, and is secured to said member by means of a set screw 56, and said collar has a rigid depending bracket or hanger 57 with a guide sleeve 58 at its lower end through which the tube 48 extends, thereby retaining the lower terminal of the tube in pro-per position and preventing it from springing or warping toward the wall of the drum.

lThe actuating or operating means for raising and lowering the tube 48 includes a lever 60 extending across the top or upper end of the drum, and having one end fulcrumed between a pair of upstanding links 61 which have their lower ends pivoted to a lug or ear 62 outstanding from the drum. A fork 64 fits partly around the upper terminal of the shank 49 above the drum, and is located within an offset portion 63 of the lever 60, said fork having a stem 65 swivelled within said offset portion, to permit the fork to remain in horizontal position when the lever is swung upwardly and downwardly. .The offset portion 63 accommodates the upper terminal of the shank 49 and fork 64, as seen in Fig. 3. The fork 64 is fitted between a pair of collars 66 screwthreaded and secured upon the upper protruding terminal o-f the shank 49, thereby raisingl and lowering the shank 49 and tube 48 with the lever 60l which has a handle at that terminal opposite to the links 61. A pointer or index 68 is secured to the shank 49 above the drum for indicating the position of the terminal 52 of the tube 48, and in the arrangement shown, there is a screw 42 above each nozzle 13, so that the screws 42 indicate the positions of the nozzles, and the pointer or index 68 is therefore moved above the corresponding screw, to bring the terminal 52 of the tube 48 into registration with the desired nozzle 13. This facilitates the positioning of the tube 48 to be brought into communication with the several nozzles 13. The upper end of the shank 49 is squared or otherwise formed, as at 67, for the engagement of a wrench, handle or other implement used in. turning the shank 49 and tube 48.

The stuffing box 46 contains packing aro-und the shank 49 to prevent leakage, and a` gland 69 surrounds the shank and is threaded down into the stuffing box to compress the packing.

In order to provide for the flow through the tube 48, the member 44 has a chamber 70 at one side of the stuffing box 46 above the chamber 45 with a port 71 between said chambers, and said port is formed with a valve seat 72 of tapered or bevelled form. A valve stem or needle valve 73 extends downwardly within the chamber 70, and has a threaded portion 74 at its upper termina-1 screw-threaded within the cap 41, and the lower end of said stem has a conical or tapered valve portion 7 5 toI fit in the seat 72 and close the port 71. The upper end of the shank or stem 73 is squared or otherwise formed, as at 76, for the engagement of a wrench, handle or other implement used in turning the valve to open and close same. The valve 73 is normally closed, to shut ofi the flow of fluid. A tube or pipe 77 is secured to the cap or upper end of the mem.- ber 44 in communication with the chamber 7 0, and extends to the exterior of the boiler. The pipe 77 is preferably provided with a valve 78 at the outside o-f the boiler casing or jacket, providing a second means for closing the flushing or clean-out passage in addition to the valve 73. The tube o-r pipe 77 may lead to any suitable point, and, as shown, depends at one side of the boiler and has a connection 79 at its lower end for attaching a hose, either for the purpose of supplying water or other fluid to clean out the boiler, or for conveying water and steam from the boiler, according to which direction the boiler is cleaned off, as will presently appear.

During the use of the boiler for generating steam, the tube 48 is lowered and the member 7 3 is moved out of registration with the nozzle 13, so as not to interfere with the circulation of water and steam in the generating coils and drum, The boiler may be cleaned out while in operation as well as when idle. In order to clean the boiler while the boiler is in use, the shank 49 is turned to bring the member 53y below and in registration with one nozzle 13, and the lever 60 is then raised toraise said tube 48 and bring the member into tight engagement under compression with such nozzle. The valves 73 aud 78 are then opened, so that the water and steam from the corresponding coil 11 can pass out through the tube 48, apertures 51, chamber 45, port 71, chamber and pipe or tube 77. The discharge of water and steam from the corresponding generating coil will be rapid or violent, according to the steam pressure within the boiler, to carry out all sediment, scale accumulations and other foreign matter from such generating coil. rThe lever 60 is then lowered to remove the member 53 from the corresponding nozzle, and the tube 48 is then turned so that the member 53 can be brought into registration and engagement with the next nozzle 13. The operation is thus repeated for each generating coil. The rapid discharge of water and steam through each generating coil will carry all foreign matter out. rEhe two valves 73 and 78 provide for safety, should either or' them leak, when the valves are closed. rlhe valve 78 can be used ior opening and closing the flushing passage during the flushing operation and change from one generating coil to the other, and the valve 73 is only opened and closed at the starting and completion of the flushing operation. The nozzles or terminals 13 of the tubes 12 project in one direction, while the terminal member or portion 53 of the tube 48 projects in the opposite direction, whereby when the tube 48 is turned, the member 53 is moved transversely of the nozzles or terminals 13 into and out ot' registration with said nozzles, whereas when the tube 48 is slid longitudinally by the lever G0, the member 53 is moved longitudinally of the corresponding nozzle 13. Vhen the tube 48 is raised by the lever 60 to bring the member 53 against one nozzle 13, a compression it is obtained between the nozzle 13 and member vWhen cleaning out the boiler when cold or idle, a hose is connected to the end of the pipe or tube 77 for supplying water or other cleaning fiuid under pressure, and the tube 48 is brought into registration and connection with the nozzles 13 in succession, the same as above described. In this case, however, the drain cock 9 is opened, or the cap 10 removed from the trap 8. Then, when the water or fluid is delivered through the tube or pipe 77, it iiows down through the tube 48 and corresponding generating coil which is in communication with said tube to wash the coil out, and the sediment, scale, accumulations and 'foreign matter are washed out through the outer end of the coil and down through the stand pipe 7 and trap 8. 1n this way, by washing the boiler out from the outside, the coils 11 are cleaned out from their inner ends outward, whereas when the boiler is cleaned out from the inside by the use of the water and steam Within the boiler, the coils 11 are cleaned out from the outer ends inward.

T he generating coils or tubes can thus be cleaned out from within the boiler by the hot water and steam, or, when the boiler is idle, the coils can be cleaned out in the opposite direction by water, kerosene or other fluid.

It is also possible to remove the cap 41 from the drum, which will carry the tube 48 with it, thereby opening the upper end or top or the drum to give an opportunity for thorough inspection and cleaning of the interior of the drum and nozzles 13. An electric lamp can also be let down into the drum or central column for lighting up the interior thereof, and when the cap 10 is removed. The pipe and trap 8 can also be cleaned out conveniently and thoroughly.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is l. A boiler having a chamber, a tube having one terminal opening into said chamber in one direction, a tubular clean-out member mounted in said chamber for movement longitudinally of said terminal and having a terminal port-ion extending in the opposite direction to register with and it said terminal of the tube, and means for moving said clean-out member longitudinally of the terminal of' the tube and for bringing the terminal portion of the clean-out member against the terminal of the tube With a compression lit.

2. A boiler having a chamber, a tube having a terminal opening into said chamber in one direction, and a tubular clean-out member in said chamber having a terminal portion extending in the opposite direction and arranged to fit said terminal of the tube in registration therewith, said member being mounted for sliding movement in said directions and for turning movement transversely of said directions, in order that the turning movement of said member enables said terminal portion to be moved transversely of the terminal of the tube into and out of registration with the terminal or" the tube, and in order that said member can be slid in the second named direction to bring the terminal portion thereof into engagement with the terminal of the tube with a compression lit.

3. A boiler having a chamber, a tube having a terminal opening into said chamber, and a tubular clean-out member mounted in said chamber for turning movement about and for sliding movement along its axis, said terminal of the tube being extended in one direction in said chamber longitudinally of said axis at one side thereof, said member having a terminal portion at one side of its axis extended in the opposite direction for movement with said member, when said munie iraniana member is turned, transversely of the termi nal of the tube into and out of registration therewith, and said terminal portion being arranged to fit the terminal of the tube under compression when said member is slid in the second named direction.

4. A boiler having a chamber, a plurality of tubes having terminals opening into said chamber, a tubular clean-out member having a terminal portion to fit said terminals of the tubes, said member being movably mounted in said chamber for the movement of the terminal portion of said member transversely of the terminals of the tubes into and out of registration therewith, and means for moving said member to bring the terminal portion thereof against the terminal of the tube with which it registers with a compression fit.

5. A boiler having a chamber, a plurality of tubes having terminals opening into said chamber in the same direction, and a tubular clean-out member mounted for sliding movement in said chamber in said direction and the opposite direction and having a terminal portion extending in the second named direction to lit the terminals of said tubes, in order that said member when slid in the second named direction will bring said ter minal portion thereof with a compression fit against the terminal of the tube with which it registers, and said member being mounted for movement in other directions for moving said terminal portion thereof transversely of the terminals of the tubes into and out of registration therewith.

6. A boiler having a chamber, tubes having terminals opening into said chamber in the same direction about an axis extending in said direction, and a tubular clean-out member slidable longitudinally in said chamber along said axis and mounted for turning movement about said axis, said member having a terminal portion extending in the opposite direction and adapted to lit the terminals of the tubes with a compression fit by the movement of said member in the second named direction, said terminal portion, when turned with the clean-out member, being movable transversely of the terminals of the tubes into and out of registration therewith.

7. A boiler having a drum, tubes having terminals extended through the wall of the drum and extending in one direction toward one end of the drum, a removable closure for one end of the drum, a clean-out tube mounted for sliding and turning movements in said closure and having a terminal port-ion within the drum projecting in the opposite @o arranged around the axis of the clean-out es tube for the successive registration with said terminals of said terminal portion of the clean-out tube when the clean-out tube is turned, said clean-out tube being carried by said closure to be removed therewith from the drum, and means on the exterior of the drum for moving said clean-out tube.

8. The combination with a boiler having a plurality of water tubes with their ends dispo-sed around a common axis at equal distances therefrom, and opening in a direction parallel with said axis, of a blow-off conduit mounted on such axis and capable of both rotary and longitudinal sliding movement, said conduit having its end bent in such manner as to extend parallel with and spaced from said axis the same distance as said water tube ends, whereby, by rotating and reciprocating said conduit, the bent end thereof may be caused to selectively engage the end of any desired water tube.

9. The combination with a boiler having a plurality of water tubes with their ends disposed around a common axis at equal distances therefrom, and opening in a direc tion parallel with said axis, of a blow-0H conduit rotatably mounted on such axis and capable of sliding longitudinally thereof, said conduit having an off-set and opening in a direction opposite to that of said tube ends, so that, by rotating said conduit, its off-set end may be selectively brought into alignment with that of any desired tube, and by then sliding the conduit longitudinally, such end may be brought into engagement with the selected tube end.

10. The combination with a boiler having a plurality of water tubes with their ends disposed around a common axis at equal distances therefrom, and spaced longitudinally therealong, said ends extending in a direction parallel with said axis, of a blo-weoff conduit both rotatably and slidably mounted on said axis and having a laterally bent end opening also in a direction parallel with such axis but opposite to that in which said tube ends extend, whereby such bent end of the conduit can, by proper rotation and longitudinal movement thereof, be brought into engagement with any desiredtube end.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

HARTLEY O. BAKER. 

